冰上丝绸之路(bīngshàng sīchóu zhīlù):Polar Silk Road

As outlined in a white paper entitled China's Arctic Policy, issued by the State Council Information Office on Friday, China hopes to jointly develop the Arctic shipping routes with other relevant parties to build a "Polar Silk Road".

China attaches great importance to navigation security in the Arctic shipping routes, and it has actively conducted studies on these routes and continuously strengthened hydrographic surveys with the aim of improving navigation, security and logistical capacities in the Arctic.

According to the document, the country will encourage its enterprises to participate in the infrastructure construction for these routes and conduct commercial trial voyages to pave the way for their commercial and regularized operation.

The white paper says that China will peacefully utilize the Arctic and is committed to maintaining peace and stability in this region. It abides by the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), and supports the International Maritime Organization in playing an active role in formulating navigational rules for the Arctic and calls for stronger international cooperation on infrastructure construction and operation of the Arctic routes.